A civil society organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has instituted a fresh legal action at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, contesting the constitutional validity of the National Assembly’s involvement in the ongoing emergency governance structure in Rivers State.
The suit specifically challenges the legislative endorsement of the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, as well as the formation of a parliamentary committee overseeing the state’s emergency rule and 2025 budget implementation.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd), the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
This development comes less than a month after all pending cases related to the Rivers State emergency declaration—including the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly—were transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja, pursuant to Order 49 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
During proceedings on Monday, counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr. Ola Faro, sought additional time to respond to the originating summons. The plaintiff’s legal team did not oppose the application, prompting the presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, to adjourn the matter until July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Addressing reporters outside the courtroom, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Kingdom Chukwuezi, stated that the lawsuit aims to clarify what his client regards as “an unconstitutional overreach” by the National Assembly in assuming executive functions within Rivers State.
As of press time, no legal representation appeared on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, while Mr. Faro, counsel to two of the defendants, declined comment on the pending litigation
